When did you stop using just cotton wool and water when changing DCs nappy?

[weeglenny]

Just wondering, as my DS is 8 months now, and because he's had quite dry sensitive skin I still clean him with cotton wool and water, no baby wipes, when I'm changing his nappy.

But now that we're weaning his nappies are becoming more disgusting so I'm thinking it might be easier and quicker to start using baby wipes. Also, he's started crawling so nappy changing time has become very challenging, because he just tries to roll over and get away!

I stopped using water on DD when she potty trained at 24months. Prior to potty training I would just hang her under the mixer taps and wash her down...no cotton wool! I never used a baby wipe on her. It was hassle sometimes when out trying to find somewhere to wash her down so I would take reusable wipes and just use water.

wet flannels are way better than baby wipes for cleaning bums ime, they rock

I always use cotton wool and water, but have wipes for if we're out. baby wipes have all kinds of nasty stuff in them, including parabens which are thought to be carcinogenic. why take the risk? If it's really major or diarrhoea I would probably wash DS's bum anyway..

Try buying reusable wipes or making your own. I bought a cheap fleece blanket and cut it into rectangle pieces.
www.fill-your-pants.com/washablewipes.html

DS1 - before I left hospital (Was in 2 1/2 days with him) as no matter how hard I tried I just ended up in a bloody mess with the cotton wool and water - and found wipes much easier

DS2 and 3 I went straight to wipes

hmmm.. after about an hour... life's too short.

The second day after he was born.
I started dunking his bum in a tub of water instead and washing him with my hand. Used a bit of liquid rice soap (no additives or nasties) when he was really sticky.

I hated the way the cotton wool stuck to him in the hospital, it was terrible stuff to use!

I rarely used wipes on him, only when out for the day and absolutely necessary, and then it was the Nature Care ones with no scent. Still didn't like the sticky feel of the skin afterwards.

I used cotton wool til weaning, then cloth wipes. Keep baby wipes for when we're out though.

My best parenting tip ever was when someone told me to go to the poundshop and buy a load of cheap flannels. So much easier to use wet flannels than cotton wool; so much better than wipes.

Should I have used cotton wool and water? I had wet wipes in my hospital bag so used them from birth for both dcs.

i used cotton wool and water on both until they got potty trained... i used wipes when out and about

With ds1 I used cotton wool and water until about 9 months then bought a load of cheap face cloths and used those with water.

Ds2 gets wiped with washable wipes and water too.

Could never bring myself to use wipes on their bottoms because of all the crap in them.

About 3 months.

Then used pampers wipes for a while, now use Johnson & Johnson aloe vera wipes - they're fantastic, very gentle and moist, though when you pull them out of the pack invariably about 3 or 4 come out at a time... unless you have both hands free. Always used Bepanthen too (still do) - it's the best nappy cream, always rash free without it.

about day 7. Switched to fragrance free wipes - usually (but not exclusively) Simple.

2 weeks

Another vote for the home made fleece reusable wipes here. Then you never run out of cotton wool, or end up with little bits all over the place.

One of the healthcare assistants changed DD's nappy in hospital when she was less than a day old and they used wipes.

Reusable wipes are much cheaper - we just use a top and tail bowl with warm water.

Good grief. Can't believe so many still use cotton wool and water. Unfragranced wipes all the way from Day 1 here and no problem whatsoever. Some of the scare tactics used in the what to do and what not to do with new Mum's beggars belief.

What's wrong with using cotton wool and water though - I don't see the scare tactics?

Washable wipes are the way forward...I use these. They are miles better than normal wipes (which I find just smear the poo around and don't "catch" it very effectively) and don't leave stringy bits behind like cotton wool does...plus after the initial outlay you don't spend any money at all. The starter kit is undeniably pricey but I am not the type to buy flannels and cut them up (wish I was but sometimes you have to accept reality). I use disposable nappies but even so the wipes don't generate extra washing as I just put them in with DS' clothes or on a towel wash. They really are brilliant and I can't recommend them enough. Plus they're handy washcloths at bathtime and I use them to take off my make-up

Still use cotton wool and water except when out and about with 13 mo DS but then I am a tight arse and it saves a load of dosh